Religion

One hallmark of the American experience captured in the Museum's collections is the nation's broad diversity of religious faiths. Artifacts range from Thomas Jefferson's Bible to a huge "Sunstone" sculpture carved for a Mormon temple in Illinois in 1844 to a household shrine from the home of a Pueblo Indian in the 1990s. Furniture, musical instruments, clothing, cooking ware, and thousands of prints and figures in the collections have all played roles in the religious lives of Americans. The most comprehensive collections include artifacts from Jewish and Christian European Americans, Catholic Latinos, Protestant Arab Americans, Buddhist and Christian Asian Pacific Americans, and Protestant African Americans. One notable group is the Vidal Collection of carved figures known as santos and other folk religious material from the practice of Santeria in Puerto Rico.

Telegraph message, printed in Morse code, transcribed and signed by Samuel F. B. Morse.
Description
Telegraph message, printed in Morse code, transcribed and signed by Samuel F. B. Morse. This message was transmitted from Baltimore, Maryland, to Washington, D.C., over the nation's first long-distance telegraph line.
In 1843, Congress allocated $30,000 for Morse (1791-1872) to build an electric telegraph line between Washington and Baltimore. Morse and his partner, Alfred Vail (1807-1859), completed the forty-mile line in May 1844. For the first transmissions, they used a quotation from the Bible, Numbers 23:23: "What hath God wrought," suggested by Annie G. Ellsworth (1826-1900), daughter of Patent Commissioner Henry L. Ellsworth (1791-1858) who was present at the event on 24 May. Morse, in the Capitol, sent the message to Vail at the B&O Railroad's Pratt Street Station in Baltimore. Vail then sent a return message confirming the message he had received.
The original message transmitted by Morse from Washington to Baltimore, dated 24 May 1844, is in the collections of the Library of Congress. The original confirmation message from Vail to Morse is in the collections of the Connecticut Historical Society.
This tape, dated 25 May, is a personal souvenir transmitted by Vail in Baltimore to Morse in Washington the day following the inaugural transmissions. The handwriting on the tape is that of Morse himself. Found in Morse’s papers after his death the tape was donated to the Smithsonian in 1900 by his son Edward, where it has been displayed in many exhibitions.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1844-05-25
1844-05-24
associated date
1844-05-24
donated
1900-04-18
associated person
Morse, Samuel Finley Breese
maker
Morse, Samuel Finley Breese
ID Number
EM.001028
catalog number
001028
accession number
65555
This whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut.
Description
This whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut. This accession includes 2 bark whistles and this reed pipe which used by people on their annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of San Fruttuoso in Genoa.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1890
ID Number
MI.095321.02
catalog number
95321.02
accession number
26410
This hornpipe was made by an unknown maker in Italy, around 1875-1890. It is a cane reed with a bell of chestnut bark wound in a spiral.
Description
This hornpipe was made by an unknown maker in Italy, around 1875-1890. It is a cane reed with a bell of chestnut bark wound in a spiral. This accession includes 2 bark whistles and this reed pipe which used by people on their annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of San Fruttuoso in Genoa.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1890
ID Number
MI.095322
accession number
26410
catalog number
95322
This whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut.
Description
This whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut. This accession includes 2 bark whistles and this reed pipe which used by people on their annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of San Fruttuoso in Genoa.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1890
ID Number
MI.095321.01
catalog number
95321.01
accession number
26410
Women's Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) uniform from World War I, consisting of hat, coat, shirtwaist, tie, skirt, and insignia. Coat and skirt are olive green wool gabardine, shirt is white dimity, hat is blue cotton, and tie is blue silk.
Description
Women's Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) uniform from World War I, consisting of hat, coat, shirtwaist, tie, skirt, and insignia. Coat and skirt are olive green wool gabardine, shirt is white dimity, hat is blue cotton, and tie is blue silk. Metal "U.S." insignia on coat lapel and cloth "J.W.B." patch with Star of David background on shouler and hat. Donated by the Jewish Welfare Board through The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
The Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) was organized shortly after America’s entry into World War I, consolidating religious groups in the Jewish community to become an official agency to work with the War Department through its Commission on Training Camp Activities. It was modeled after the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and the Knights of Columbus, and other organizations that in World War I adapted military-like uniforms for women and men volunteers. The JWB built buildings and stocked libraries on army installations and distributed books, articles, Bibles, and prayer books supplied through its affiliation with the Jewish Publication Society. It established community branches in the “second line of defense,” by supporting Jewish workers in the shipyards, arsenals, and other military plants and factories, as well as hospitals and universities where the government had taken over under military regulations. Following the Armistice, under direction of the Navy Department, the JWB transferred its peacetime work to veteran’s hospitals and enlarged Jewish community centers.
associated date
1914-1918
ID Number
1998.0165.25.01
catalog number
1998.0165.25.01.01
1998.0165.25.01.02
accession number
1998.0165
catalog number
1998.0165.25.01
The Southernaires. side 1: Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray; side 2: Steal Away to Jesus (Decca 2856), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Southernaires. side 1: Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray; side 2: Steal Away to Jesus (Decca 2856), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Southernaires
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05286
maker number
2856
83
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05286
J. Stratton Shufelt. side 1: Overshadowed; side 2: The Old Ship Zion (Fellowship Music FM 019/020), from the album, Strat Sings (Fellowship Music 1).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
J. Stratton Shufelt. side 1: Overshadowed; side 2: The Old Ship Zion (Fellowship Music FM 019/020), from the album, Strat Sings (Fellowship Music 1).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording artist
Shufelt, J. Stratton
manufacturer
Fellowship Music
ID Number
1996.0320.05267
maker number
FM 019/020
FM 1
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05267
F. Carlton Booth. side 1: Singing; side 2: Gethsemane (Singspiration 1040), from the album, Singing (Singspiration 4). 78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
F. Carlton Booth. side 1: Singing; side 2: Gethsemane (Singspiration 1040), from the album, Singing (Singspiration 4).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
ca 1947
recording artist
Booth, F. Carlton
manufacturer
Singspiration
ID Number
1996.0320.05025
maker number
1040
4
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05025
This cornet was made by C.G. Conn in Elkhart, Indiana in 1889. It is a B-flat cornet, serial #18014, made of silver plated brass with ornate etching on the bell, and has 3 piston valves.
Description

This cornet was made by C.G. Conn in Elkhart, Indiana in 1889. It is a B-flat cornet, serial #18014, made of silver plated brass with ornate etching on the bell, and has 3 piston valves. This cornet is engraved:

C.G.CONN
ELKHART, IND.
AND WORCESTER
MASS

and engraved on the bell:

“D.M.IRVIN.FOR THE USE OF C.P.CHURCH. JACKSON. TENN. 1889.”

This cornet was made for the Orchestra of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Tennessee, and played by the donor’s father.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1889
user
Anderson, Frank Ervin
maker
C. G. Conn
ID Number
2000.0020.01
serial number
18014
accession number
2000.0020
catalog number
2000.0020.01
George Beverly Shea. side 1: The Ninety and Nine; side 2: The SUNSHINE (Singspiration 3001), from the album, Under His Wings (Singspiration 15).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
George Beverly Shea. side 1: The Ninety and Nine; side 2: The SUNSHINE (Singspiration 3001), from the album, Under His Wings (Singspiration 15).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Shea, George Beverly
manufacturer
Singspiration
ID Number
1996.0320.05263
maker number
3001
15
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05263
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1774
artist attribution
Velazquez, Diego Rodriguez de Silva y
engraver
Green, Valentine
delineator
Farington, George
ID Number
GA.20769
catalog number
20769
accession number
226630
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Sea Walker; side 2: The Touch of God's Hand (RCA Victor 20-3195), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.Currently not on view
Description
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Sea Walker; side 2: The Touch of God's Hand (RCA Victor 20-3195), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Sons of the Pioneers
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05276
maker number
20-3195
P 229
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05276
The Southernaires. side 1: Gonna Shout All Over God's Heaven; side 2: Nobody Knows THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN (Decca 2859), from the album, "The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals" (Decca 83).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Southernaires. side 1: Gonna Shout All Over God's Heaven; side 2: Nobody Knows THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN (Decca 2859), from the album, "The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals" (Decca 83).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Southernaires
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05289
maker number
2859
83
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05289
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: Too High, Too Wide, Too Low; side 2: Rounded Up in Glory (RCA Victor 20-3193), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released on 1948.Currently not on view
Description
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: Too High, Too Wide, Too Low; side 2: Rounded Up in Glory (RCA Victor 20-3193), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released on 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Sons of the Pioneers
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05274
maker number
20-3193
P 229
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05274
McCravy Brothers. side 1: Jacob's Ladder; side 2: Dip Me in the Golden Sea (Davis DA-20-1/2), from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1930 and initially released on Crown 3078.
Description

McCravy Brothers. side 1: Jacob's Ladder; side 2: Dip Me in the Golden Sea (Davis DA-20-1/2), from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1930 and initially released on Crown 3078. Side 2 was recorded in 1931 and initially released on Crown 3205.

Crown Records was a budget label started by the Plaza Music Company after its merger with the American Record Corporation (ARC) in 1930. Crown oversaw the Homestead Records mail order label from ARC. Crown and its subsidiaries were active until 1933.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1930
1931
date made
1930 - 1931
recording artist
McCravy Brothers
manufacturer
Davis
ID Number
1996.0320.05185
maker number
DA-20-1/2
DA-20
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05185
This music book The Triumph! was edited by George Frederick Root. It was published by Root & Cady in Chicago, Illinois, in 1868.
Description (Brief)

This music book The Triumph! was edited by George Frederick Root. It was published by Root & Cady in Chicago, Illinois, in 1868. This is a collection of music containing an introductory course for congregational singing, theory of music and teacher's manual, elementary, intermediate and advanced courses, for singing schools and musical conventions, and tunes, hymns, anthems and chants for choirs.

George Frederick Root (1820– 1895) was an American songwriter, best known for songs such as "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" and "The Battle Cry of Freedom."

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
ID Number
2014.0181.05
accession number
2014.0181
catalog number
2014.0181.05
Nelson Eddy (singing in four-part harmony). side 1: Nearer, My God, To Thee; side 2: Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand (Columbia 17388-D), from the album, Hymns We Love (Columbia M-646).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss.
Description

Nelson Eddy (singing in four-part harmony). side 1: Nearer, My God, To Thee; side 2: Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand (Columbia 17388-D), from the album, Hymns We Love (Columbia M-646).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Eddy, Nelson
Eddy, Nelson
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1979.1023.098
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
17388-D
M-646
catalog number
1979.1023.098
McCravy Brothers. side 1: When They Ring the Golden Bells; side 2: Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (Davis DA-20-3/4), from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).78 rpm.
Description

McCravy Brothers. side 1: When They Ring the Golden Bells; side 2: Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (Davis DA-20-3/4), from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).
78 rpm. This coupling was initially released on Crown 3040.

Crown Records was a budget label started by the Plaza Music Company after its merger with the American Record Corporation (ARC) in 1930. Crown oversaw the Homestead Records mail order label from ARC. Crown and its subsidiaries were active until 1933.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1930
recording artist
McCravy Brothers
manufacturer
Davis
ID Number
1996.0320.05186
maker number
DA-20-3/4
DA-20
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05186
The Chosen Gospel Singers. side 1: I'm Goin' Back With Him; side 2: No Room in the Hotel (Specialty 864).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Chosen Gospel Singers. side 1: I'm Goin' Back With Him; side 2: No Room in the Hotel (Specialty 864).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1954
recording artist
Chosen Gospel Singers
manufacturer
Specialty
ID Number
1996.0153.08717
catalog number
1996.0153.08717
label number
864
accession number
1996.0153
This sheet music is for the song “Just a Baby's Prayer at Twilight (for Her Daddy Over There).” The song was written by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young, and the music was composed by M.K. Jerome. The sheet music was published by Waterson, Berlin and Snyder Co.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Just a Baby's Prayer at Twilight (for Her Daddy Over There).” The song was written by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young, and the music was composed by M.K. Jerome. The sheet music was published by Waterson, Berlin and Snyder Co. of New York, New York in 1918. The cover features an illustration of a young girl kneeling on her bed in prayer, which is signed by Barbelle.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957). With a prolific career spanning over forty years, Barbelle created cover art for sheet music and albums.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1918
lyricist
Lewis, Sam M.
Young, Joe
composer
Jerome, Maurice Kraus
publisher
Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co.
ID Number
1983.0313.07
accession number
1983.0313
catalog number
1983.0313.07
This reed organ was made by Estey Organ Company, in Brattleboro, Vermont, around 1935-1940. It is a portable or “Chaplain’s” reed organ, serial number 491204. There is a printed label inside the lid:ESTEY ORGAN COMPANYManufacturersBRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, U.S.A.No.
Description

This reed organ was made by Estey Organ Company, in Brattleboro, Vermont, around 1935-1940. It is a portable or “Chaplain’s” reed organ, serial number 491204. There is a printed label inside the lid:

ESTEY ORGAN COMPANY
Manufacturers
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, U.S.A.
No. 491204
1782

(decal on music desk):

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1935 -1940
maker
Estey Organ Company
ID Number
1998.0031.01
catalog number
1998.0031.01
accession number
1998.0031
serial number
491204
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1850
date made
ca 1800
graphic artist
Melish, John
ID Number
1985.0303.05
accession number
1985.0303
catalog number
1985.0303.05
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Old Rugged Cross; side 2: Read the Bible Every Day (RCA Victor 20-3196), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals" (RCA Victor P 229).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.Currently not on view
Description
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Old Rugged Cross; side 2: Read the Bible Every Day (RCA Victor 20-3196), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals" (RCA Victor P 229).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Sons of the Pioneers
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05277
maker number
20-3196
P 229
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05277
George Beverly Shea. side 1: Then Came Jesus; side 2: Balm in Gilead (Singspiration 53017), from the album, Under His Wings (Singspiration 15).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
George Beverly Shea. side 1: Then Came Jesus; side 2: Balm in Gilead (Singspiration 53017), from the album, Under His Wings (Singspiration 15).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Shea, George Beverly
manufacturer
Singspiration
ID Number
1996.0320.05264
maker number
53017
15
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05264

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